Clip for fastening an article to a panel having a self-expanding clip head

Abstract

A clip for fastening an article to a panel having a hole has a base and a self expanding head attached to the base. The self-expanding head has at least one column extending from the base to a platform that is spaced from the base. First and second flexible beams are attached to the platform at one end and to the base at an opposite end. The first flexible beam has a first plurality of retention shoulders and the second flexible beam has a second plurality of retention shoulders. Each plurality of retention shoulders includes at least one retention shoulder that is spaced from every other retention shoulder in a vertical direction.

1. A clip for fastening an article to a panel having a hole, the clip comprising:
 a base, 
 a self-expanding head attached to the base and extending upwardly from the base, 
 the self-expanding head having at least one column rising from the base to a platform that is spaced from the base, 
 a first flexible beam attached to a side of the platform at one end and to the base at an opposite end, 
 the first flexible beam having a first plurality of retention shoulders, 
 a second flexible beam attached to an opposite side of the platform at one end and to the base at an opposite end, 
 the second flexible beam having a second plurality of retention shoulders, and 
 the second flexible beam being laterally offset from the first flexible beam whereby the first flexible beam does not directly oppose the second flexible beam, 
 wherein the first plurality of retention shoulders and the second plurality of retention shoulders each include at least one retention shoulder that is offset vertically from any other retention shoulder so that when the self-expanding head is inserted through a hole in the panel, the base abuts one side of the panel adjacent the hole and the at least one retention shoulder is the only retention shoulder that abuts an opposite side of the panel adjacent the hole when the self-expanding head is substantially upright in the hole. 
 
   
   
     2. The clip as defined in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retention shoulder of one flexible beam is assisted by a retention shoulder of another flexible beam when the self-expanding head is titled in the hole whereby the at least one retention shoulder is the only retention shoulder that abuts an opposite side of the panel adjacent the hole up to a pull-out force of a given magnitude whereupon the retention shoulder of the another flexible beam assists the at least one retention shoulder when the pull-out force of the given magnitude is exceeded. 
   
   
     3. The clip as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first plurality of retention shoulders and the second plurality of retention shoulders each include uppermost retention shoulders wherein the uppermost retention shoulders are aligned laterally. 
   
   
     4. The clip as defined in  claim 1  wherein the base of the clip includes a flexible lip that slants upwardly and outwardly from the base. 
   
   
     5. The clip as defined in  claim 1  wherein the self-expanding head has two columns extending from the base and the platform spans the columns. 
   
   
     6. The clip as defined in  claim 5  wherein the two columns are dimensioned to engage diametrically opposite portions of the hole when the self-expanding head is substantially upright in the hole. 
   
   
     7. The clip as defined in  claim 6  wherein the first flexible beam and the second flexible beam are attached to portions of the platform between the columns. 
   
   
     8. The clip as defined in  claim 1  wherein the base is an oval having a major diameter and a minor diameter. 
   
   
     9. The clip as defined in  claim 8  wherein at least one column comprises two columns being spaced from each other in a direction of the major diameter of the oval and wherein the columns are T-shaped and have rounded ends for engaging an oval-shaped hole on its major axis when the self-expanding head is substantially upright in the oval-shaped hole. 
   
   
     10. A clip for fastening an article to a panel having a hole, the clip comprising:
 a base, 
 a self-expanding head attached to the base and extending upwardly from the base, 
 the self-expanding head having at least one column rising from the base to a platform that is spaced from the base, 
 a first flexible beam attached to a side of the platform at one end and to the base at an opposite end, 
 the first flexible beam having a first uppermost retention shoulder and a first plurality of lower retention shoulders, 
 a second flexible beam attached to an opposite side of the platform at one end and to the base at an opposite end, 
 the second flexible beam having a second uppermost retention shoulder and a second plurality of lower retention shoulders, and 
 the second flexible beam being laterally offset from the first flexible beam whereby the first flexible beam does not directly oppose the second flexible beam, 
 wherein the first uppermost retention shoulder and the second uppermost retention shoulder are aligned vertically, and 
 wherein the first plurality of lower retention shoulders and the second plurality of lower retention shoulders each include at least one lower retention shoulder that is offset vertically from any other retention shoulder so that when the self-expanding head is inserted through a hole in the panel, the base abuts one side of the panel adjacent the hole and the at least one lower retention shoulder is the only retention shoulder that abuts an opposite side of the panel adjacent the hole when the self-expanding head is substantially upright in the hole. 
 
   
   
     11. The clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein the at least one lower retention shoulder of one flexible beam is assisted by a retention shoulder of another flexible beam when the self-expanding head is titled in a hole whereby the at least one lower retention shoulder is the only retention shoulder that abuts an opposite side of the panel adjacent the hole up to a pull-out force of a given magnitude whereupon the retention shoulder of the another flexible beam assists the at least one lower retention shoulder when the pull-out force of the given magnitude is exceeded. 
   
   
     12. The clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein the base of the clip includes a flexible lip that slants upwardly and outwardly from the base. 
   
   
     13. The clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein the self-expanding head has two columns extending from the base and the platform spans the columns. 
   
   
     14. The clip as defined in  claim 11  wherein the base is an oval having a major diameter and a minor diameter. 
   
   
     15. The clip as defined in  claim 14  wherein the at least one column comprising two columns are spaced from each other in a direction of the major diameter of the oval and the first flexible beam and the second flexible beam are attached to portions of the platform between the columns. 
   
   
     16. The clip as defined in  claim 13  wherein the columns are T-shaped and have rounded ends for engaging a major axis of an oval hole.